Burning or zinging in the groin
It often feels out of proportion to the activity that set it off.
The genitofemoral nerve passes through the lower abdominal wall into the groin and upper inner thigh. When it’s irritated, you may feel burning, sharp or electric pain there. The reaction often feels much bigger than the activity that set it off.
It usually isn’t one lesion that shows on imaging. Tight abdominal wall and hip flexor muscles can press on the nerve. Scar tissue after hernia or pelvic surgery and a guarded pelvic floor can limit how it glides. Heavy lifting, sprinting, cycling or long sitting can also set it off.
Dry needling, a form of acupuncture, and electroacupuncture are how I approach it. The genitofemoral nerve runs down the front of the psoas, the deep hip flexor. A tight psoas can crowd it, so I needle that muscle to free it up. Sometimes the genitofemoral nerve stays irritable even with the muscle eased. In that case electroacupuncture, fine needles near the nerve with a light current, helps change how it signals.
Most people have had imaging and medication, and sometimes surgery. Medication helps some people but doesn’t change the tight muscle or scar tissue around the nerve. Surgery can fix a structural problem and still leave a sensitive nerve or a scar that tugs on it. What’s often missing is a hands-on exam to find which tissues reproduce the pain. Pelvic floor PT can help with coordination, but New York law keeps PTs and chiropractors from dry needling.
I start with where the pain goes, which positions change it, and whether it began after surgery. Then the exam:
Alongside me, you may be seeing urology, sports medicine, neurology, pain medicine, a surgeon or a pelvic floor PT. If anything I find seems relevant to one of them, I’ll flag it for you and share what I found.
It’s often best treated as a pattern that can have several causes. A physician can look for medical causes and rule out anything urgent. I focus on the tight muscles, scar tissue and nerve sensitivity that can keep the nerve reactive.
Yes. Hernia problems, changes after surgery and nerve irritation can all cause groin pain. A hernia or surgical problem stays with your surgeon, and I work within your medical plan. My focus is the muscle and nerve factors that often remain after the structural issue is treated.
Mainly dry needling to the muscles and tissue around the nerve’s path, and pelvic floor dry needling when it’s involved. More than one piece is usually treated. A looser psoas lets the genitofemoral nerve slide more freely, and current near the nerve works on its irritability.
It depends on how long you’ve had it, how reactive it is, and whether surgery was involved. Four to six weeks is common, after which visits become less frequent. I’ll suggest a schedule after your first exam.
Get urgent care for severe sudden pain with fever or feeling ill, new numbness or weakness, or trouble walking. New bowel or bladder changes, or sudden severe testicular or scrotal pain, also need a doctor right away. Otherwise, many people have already had imaging that doesn’t fully explain their symptoms.
Yes. When pelvic floor tension or coordination is part of the picture, working with a pelvic floor PT often helps. I work on muscle tone and nerve sensitivity, and PT works on control, breathing and gradual return to activity.
Adults with pelvic floor, nerve and orthopedic pain, along with neurological conditions. Most of my patients come to me after other care hasn't fully settled things. If you're looking for general wellness acupuncture, I'm not the right fit.
We review your history and what you've already tried. I assess the muscles and nerves involved, and you're treated the same day.
It depends on the condition. Pelvic and orthopedic plans usually run 4 to 6 weeks. Neurological plans are usually 2 visits a week for 6 weeks or 3 a week for 4. After that, visits space out so the changes hold. These are typical timelines, not promises.
Yes. I work alongside doctors, physical therapists and specialists. If something I find needs a closer look from one of them, I'll tell you.
I'm an out-of-network provider. You pay at the time of your visit, and my office submits the claim so any reimbursement comes to you. Free benefit checks are available before your first visit through the verification form, and HSA and FSA cards work. I don't take Medicare or Medicaid, though some Medicare Advantage plans reimburse out-of-network care. Full insurance details
Yes. I treat adults, teens and children, though I don't specialize in infants or toddlers.
Yes. Book a free discovery call to ask your questions and see whether we're a good fit.
Dry needling is a form of acupuncture. Fine needles go into tight bands of muscle and trigger points to lower muscle tension and change how the area is signaling.
You may feel a brief twitch or a deep ache as the needle reaches tight muscle. It passes quickly, and any soreness afterward usually fades within a day or two.
It's generally safe with a properly trained practitioner. Needles are sterile and single-use, and I check your health history first, including blood thinners. In New York, dry needling can only be performed by licensed acupuncturists, MDs and DOs. Physical therapists and chiropractors aren't permitted to perform it.
Eat something light beforehand and wear loose clothing that lets me reach the area being treated.
Usually not. Ultrasound helps in a few specific cases, but it hasn't been shown to improve results for common trigger points. A careful hands-on exam is what guides the needle. More on ultrasound-guided dry needling
Dry needling aimed at the pelvic floor and the hip and abdominal muscles around it, for pain, tension and urinary symptoms driven by those muscles and their nerves. More on pelvic floor dry needling
Sometimes, depending on the muscles involved, and you'll be draped throughout. Treatment always follows your consent and comfort. I don't do internal exams or internal treatment.
No, though it helps if you've already seen a doctor or pelvic floor physical therapist. Bring any notes or imaging you have.
Completely. I've heard it all, and there's no judgment here, just a straightforward conversation so we can treat what's going on.
Yes, I treat adults of every gender and identity. After gender-affirming surgery involving the pelvis, bring your surgical notes and we'll decide together what fits.
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Evidence-based acupuncture and dry needling on the Upper West Side. From chronic pain and headaches to pelvic floor dysfunction, Dr. Jordan Barber pairs the highest level of training with care that actually listens.
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